Nut coil de-reeler

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a de-reeler for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts from a reel or spool for subsequent sequential installation of the pierce nuts in a panel by shearing the frangible connectors. The de-reeler includes a work support surface, a frame on which a reel having a strip of pierce nuts coiled thereon is rotatably mounted, and a tension roller for absorbing forces from the unwinding of the strip of pierce nuts from the reel. A first guide freely moves transversely of the path of unwinding the strip to follow the unwinding and to prevent binding of the strip. A second guide, mounted on the work support surface, receives the strip of nuts from the first guide and steers or directs the strip of pierce nuts toward the installation head. A channel or track may be provided to guide the strip of nuts from the first guide, through the second guide, to the installation head.

United States Patent 1191 Woods Jan.7,1975

[ NUT COIL DE-REELER [75] Inventor: Harold T. Woods, Livonia, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Multifastener Corporation, Detroit,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 21] Appl. No.: 391,115

[52] US. Cl 29/211 D, 29/200 P [51] Int. Cl B23p 19/04, B23p 19/00 [58] Field of Search 29/211 D, 200 P, 200 R, 29/417, 412, 432

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ladouceur 29/412 Steward 29/211 D [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to a de-reeler for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts from a reel or spool for subsequent sequential installation of the pierce nuts in a panel by shearing the frangible connectors. The de-reeler includes a work support surface, a frame on which a reel having a strip of pierce nuts coiled thereon is rotatably mounted, and a tension roller for absorbing forces from the unwinding of the strip of pierce nuts from the reel. A first guide freely moves transversely of the path of unwinding the strip to follow the unwinding and to prevent binding of the strip. A second guide, mounted on the work support surface, receives the strip of nuts from the first guide and steers or directs the strip of pierce nuts toward the installation head. A channel or track may be provided to guide the strip of nuts from the first guide, through the second guide, to the installation head.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 7, 1975 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,299

2 Sheets-Sheet Z 1 NUT COIL DE-REELER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention herein relates to a de-reeler for unwinding a coiled strip of interconnected pierce nuts from a reel and for passing the nuts to an installation head for subsequent sequential installation.

The pierce nut typically has a pilot portion which pierces its own hole in a panel and a flange portion which overlies the panel adjacent the pierced hole. The strip of pierce nuts are connected by frangible connectors and the installation head operates to shear the frangible connectors during installation of each pierce nut into a panel.

The present invention operates to unwind a coiled strip of these interconnected pierce nuts from a reel or spool and subsequently pass them to an installation head such as the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,718,965 assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

According to the prior art, when the pierce nuts are manufactured and interconnected by a frangible member, they may be ultimately wound or coiled around a reel or spool as illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,711,931, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. Once the strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts is coiled in that fashion, they may be transported to a factory for installation in various panels.

Certain problems arise when it is desired to unwind or de-reel the coiled strip of pierce nuts. First, it must be appreciated that a coiled strip of interconnected pierce nuts is quite heavy. Thus, moving the full reel from one location to another presents a significant labor problem.

Second, the installation head of the type illustrated in said US. Pat. No. 3,718,965 requires an intermittent feed from the coiled strip. This requires the reel to be repeatedly started and stopped. To accomplish this, the installation head has a reciprocating member and, as this member moves in a first direction, the strip is pulled. This pull must be sufficient to overcome the inertia of the stationary reel. After the reel has been turned slightly, by the reciprocation of the installation head, a single pierce nut is installed, the pull on the coiled strip is over, and the reel must be stopped. Again this provides an inertia problem.

The inertial problem of starting and stopping the coiled strip results in a repeated tension and compression on the frangible connectors between the adjacent pierce nuts. Of course, if these connectors break prior to entering the installation head, the coiled strip must be re-threaded into the head.

Thus, it is necessary to limit the motion of the reel in a fashion which eliminates damage to the frangible connections between adjacent pierce nuts.

A prior art solution for this problem is to include a ball bearing spindle with the reel and an elaborate braking mechanism. This is extremely costly and requires, therefore, that the reels be reusable.

In contrast, the present invention permits utilization of reels or spools which are economical to manufacture and which may be readily discarded after one use.

In the coiling of a continuous strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts, each layer of pierce nuts overlies the layer immediately thereunder. As the reel is unwound, the tangential point at which'a pierce nut is unwound from the reel moves laterally or travels along the axis of the reel, i.e., back and forth between the 'sides. A problem arises with unwinding of this nature because of the varying distances that the pierce nuts travel from this tangential point to the installation head.

Since the pierce nuts are interconnected, this problem results in strain or tension on the pierce nuts and the frangible connectors due to their axial distance away from the longitudinal center line of the reel during unwinding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The coil de-reeler of the present invention for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts from a reel includes a work surface, a frame upon which a reel of interconnected pierce nuts is rotatably mounted, and a tension roller for absorbing tension and compression forces from the strip of interconnected pierce nuts. The de-reeler further includes a first guide which is mounted for free lateral movement across the work surface transverse to the path of unwinding of said strip of pierce nuts, and a second guide which serves to steer or direct the strip of pierce nuts towards the installation head.

A channel or track may be provided to define a path for the strip of pierce nuts to follow from the first head or guide, through the second guide to the installation head.

Other improvements and meritorious features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description of the preferred embodiment, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the de-reeler of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, as seen in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1, of the first guide;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, as seen in the direction of arrows 3-3'of FIG. 1, of the second guide;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a modified dereeler; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the de-reeler of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The de-reeler 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to unwind a coiled strip of individual pierce nuts 22 from a reel 24. The strip of nuts is passed through a first guide 26 and through a second guide 28 to an installation head 30. The strip 32 of pierce nuts comprises a plurality of individual pierce nuts 22 connected by frangible connectors 34 as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,711,931, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. As illustrated generally in said patent, the strip of pierce nuts is coiled upon a reel or spool 24 which has a hub or shaft 36, and side or retaining walls 38 on both ends of the shaft 36.

The de-reeler 20 of the present invention includes a base support or work surface'40 and a frame 42 which includes a pair of rear risers or vertical supports 44, a pair of intermediate risers or vertical supports 46 and a pair of front risers or vertical supports 48. From the rear risers 44 to the front riser 48 there is provided a lateral support member 50 having recesses 52 and 53 therein to receive the shaft 36 of the reel 24. These lateral members 50 provide a retaining wall to prevent the reel or spool 24 from being inadvertently moved out of position.

A rear roller 54 is journalled in the intermediate risers 46 and a front roller 58 is journalled in the-front risers 48. The front roller 56 is vertically higher than the rear roller 54 with respect to the work surface 40, and a reel 24 having its shaft 36 in a recess 52 is rotatably mounted on the rollers 54 and 56. Thus, reel 24 is free to rotate on the rollers 54 and 56.

One problem with unreeling a coiled strip of pierce nuts from a reel is the weight of the pierce nuts on the reel. This presents an inertial problem each time the reel is started and stopped. To assist in overcoming this problem, means are provided to absorb the tension from the pierce nuts. Specifically, an elongated vertical slot 58 is provided in each front riser 48 below the roller 56. A spring loaded tension roller 60 is mounted in the slots and the strip of pierce nuts passes beneath the tension roller. The amount of tension on the roller'and the location of the slot 58 are selected so that the tension roller 60 absorbs tension and compression from the strip of pierce nuts, which tension and compression are caused by starting and stopping the unwinding of the reel, respectively.

In the referred embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the coiled strip of pierce nuts is layered back upon itself inbetween the side walls 38 of the reel. Thus, as the reel is unwound, the tangential point at which the pierce nuts leave the reel travels laterally or transversely of the direction of unwinding. That is, the point at which the pierce nuts leave the reel and travel parallel to the axis of the shaft 36 of the reel.

To prevent damage of the frangible connectors 34 between the pierce nuts, means are provided to follow the unwinding of the pierce nuts back and forth across the axial length of the .reel. Specifically, this means is the first guide 26 which is mounted to float or freely move transversely of the direction of unwinding of the strip of pierce nuts. The first floating guide 26 is in the form of a block having a front portion 62 into which the strip of pierce nuts enters and a rear portion 64. The front portion 62 includes a tapered opening 66 shaped to permit only a properly oriented strip of pierce nuts to be threaded therein. By inhibiting improperly oriented pierce nuts from entering this guide, the dereeler mechanism assures that the strip of pierce nuts will be in the proper orientation when they are presented to the installation head 30.

The tapered opening 66 in the front 62 of the first guide connects to an internal passageway 68 in the first guide. At the end of the first guide, a channel or track 70 may be provided to receive the strip of pierce nuts. This channel or guide is utilized to control the movement of the strip of pierce nuts to the second guide 28.

The second guide 28 which may either be fixed or floating, is shown here as guide 28, secured to one end of the base support 40. The second guide includes an internal channel 72 through which the track 70 passes.

The track 70 continues from the end of the second.

thermore, during the reciprocation of the plunger at the installation head, as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,965, the entire channel or track 70 will reciprocate from right to left as illustrated in FIG. 1 as the coil is unwound. To permit this movement, the channel 72 in the second guide 28 is sufficiently large to permit the track 70 to slide back and forth therethrough.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is provided a reel 24 and a spare reel 25, each mounted in a recess 52, 53, respectively in the lateral support members 50. When the first reel has been totally unwound, it may be pushed off to the side and the second reel rolled along the lateral support into the front recess 52. The strip of pierce nuts is threaded underneath the tension roller 60 and fed along the track or channel 70 for subsequent use at the installation head.

Depending upon the nature of the installation head utilized, together with other factors which reflect upon the tension placed upon the individual pierce nuts, the channel or track 70 is optional. If the track is not utilized, then a different means is necessary for freely mounting the first guide 26 with respect to the work surface 40. As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. I, the bottom of the first guide 26 may include a depending projection 74. Similarly, the work surface 40 may have a lateral or transverse groove 76 to receive the projection. With the projection nested or force fit into the groove, the first guide 26 is free to float or move laterally back and forth to follow the unwinding of the pierce nuts. Obviously, reciprocating movement of the first guide 26 (right to left in FIG. 1) is not available in such an embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates a slightly different frame utilized with only a single reel. This frame has only two risers and a single recess 52 but otherwise serves the same functions. Furthermore, the frame of FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a tapered chute bottom or support surface 78 to temporarily receive a reel 24. A reel is placed on this tapered support and then rolled onto the lateral support 50 and into the recess 52.

It will be understood that the various details of the de-reeler have been disclosed as only a preferred embodiment. Therefore, the foregoing explanation should be taken only in an illustrative sense and not as restricting the scope of the present invention. The invention may be further developed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A de-reeler for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected nuts from a reel for subsequent sequential installation of said nuts in a panel by shearing the frangible connectors between the nuts, comprising: a base plate; a frame including a pair of supports supported upon said base plate having a rear roller journalled therein, and a pair of front supports on said base plate having a front roller journalled therein; said front and rear rollers rotatably supporting a reel having a strip of interconnected nuts coiled thereon; a tension roller mounted in said front supports between said front roller and said base plate, and including means for absorbing tension and compression forces from said trip of interconnected pierce nuts; and a travelling member in front of and spaced apart from said front roller and mounted for free movement transverse to the path of travel of said unwound strip of pierce nuts for following the lateral unwinding of said pierce nuts from said reel; said travelling member having an interior passage perpendicular to the axes of said rollers with an enlarged opening facing said reel and shaped to accept entry of only properly oriented nuts.

2. The nut de-reeler defined in claim 1 and further including a guide block mounted on said base plate in front of and spaced away from said travelling member for directing said interconnected nuts from said travelling member toward an installation head.

3. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 2 and further including an elongated, narrow channel connected to said travelling member and said guide block for defining a path for said interconnected nuts; said travelling member being mounted on one end of said channel for free movement transverse to the path of travel of said nuts.

4. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said channel extends from said travelling member past said guide block to a nut installation head, said head for shearing the frangible connectors between adjacent nuts and installing the nuts in a panel.

5. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said frame further includes two opposed plates, each extending above said base plate and between a front support and a rear support for providing lateral support for said reel of pierce nuts; each plate including a recess to receive a shaft of said reel.

6. The nut d'e-reeler as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said frame further includes an inclined storage surface behind said rear roller to receive a reel, wherein said reel may be rolled from said storage surface to an unwinding position with the shaft of said reel resting in said recess.

7. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said inclined surface is a rearward extension of said lateral support plates, each of said plates including a second recess to receive the shaft of an additional reel of nuts.

8. In a system for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts from a reel and for transporting said pierce nuts along a path to an installation head for sequential installation by shearing the frangible connectors between the pierce nuts, a de-reeler for unwinding the coiled strip of pierce nuts comprising: a base plate; means for rotatably mounting a reel above said base plate, said means including front and rear vertical supports, each having a roller journalled therein with said reel resting on said rollers and above said base plate; and a spring loaded roller means mounted in said front vertical supports below the roller journalled therein, and below said reel, said spring loaded roller for absorbing tension and compression forces from the unwinding of said interconnected pierce nuts.

9. The system as in claim 8 and further including guide means in front of and spaced away from said front support for further defining the path of said interconnected pierce nuts from said springy loaded roller to said installation head; said guide means including a first member freely mounted in front of said front roller for lateral movement transversely of the path of unwinding of said interconnected pierce nuts, and a second member mounted on said base plate in front of said first guide member for directing said pierce nuts from said first guide member to said installation head.

10. The system as in claim 9 and further including a track having said first guide member mounted at one end thereof; said track extending from said first guide member to said second guide member and then to said installation head for defining the path of movement of said interconnected pierce nuts from said reel to said installation head.

11. A de-reeler for unwinding interconnected pierce nuts coiled on a reel, said pierce nuts characterized in that they are joined by readily frangible connectors for sequential installation by shearing said frangible connectors, said de-reeler for reducing tension on said pierce nuts to avoid damage to said frangible connectors, comprising: a work surface; means positioned for rotatably supporting a reel above said work surface, said reel having a strip of interconnected pierce nuts coiled thereon; a tension roller mounted at the front of said supporting means; a floating guide in front of said tension roller having an internal passageway with an opening facing said tension roller to receive said interconnected pierce nuts, said floating guide freely moving transversely of the path of travel of said pierce nuts for following the tangential unwinding of said coil; a second guide mounted on said work surface in front of said and spaced away from said floating guide for receiving said strip of pierce nuts from said floating guide and for directing said strip of pierce nuts; and an installation head positioned in front of said second guide to receive said strip of pierce nuts from said second guide and to install said pierce nuts sequentially by shearing the frangible connectors between adjacent pierce nuts.

12. The de-reeler as defined in claim 11 and further including an elongated track for supporting said trip of pierce nuts, said installation head receiving one end of said track and said floating guide mounted on the other end of said track; said track further extending through a channel in said second guide channel being perpendicular to the axis of said tension roller. 

1. A de-reeler for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected nuts from a reel for subsequent sequential installation of said nuts in a panel by shearing the frangible connectors between the nuts, comprising: a base plate; a frame including a pair of supports supported upon said base plate having a rear roller journalled therein, and a pair of front supports on said base plate having a front roller journalled therein; said front and rear rollers rotatably supporting a reel having a strip of interconnected nuts coiled thereon; a tension roller mounted in said front supports between said front roller and said base plate, and including means for absorbing tension and compression forces from said trip of interconnected pierce nuts; and a travelling member in front of and spaced apart from said front roller and mounted for free movement transverse to the path of travel of said unwound strip of pierce nuts for following the lateral unwinding of said pierce nuts from said reel; said travelling member having an interior passage perpendicular to the axes of said rollers with an enlarged opening facing said reel and shaped to accept entry of only properly oriented nuts.
 2. The nut de-reeler defined in claim 1 and further including a guide block mounted on said base plate in front of and spaced away from said travelling member for directing said interconnected nuts from said travelling member toward an installation head.
 3. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 2 and further including an elongated, narrow channel connected to said travelling member and said guide block for defining a path for said interconnected nuts; said travelling member being mounted on one end of said channel for free movement transverse to the path of travel of said nuts.
 4. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said channel extends from said travelling member past said guide block to a nut installation head, said head for shearing the frangible connectors between adjacent nuts and installing the nuts in a panel.
 5. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said frame further includes two opposed plates, each extending above said base plate and between a front support and a rear support for providing lateral support for said reel of pierce nuts; each plate including a recess to receive a shaft of said reel.
 6. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said frame further includes an inclined storage surface behind said rear roller to receive a reel, wherein said reel may be rolled from said storage surface to an unwinding position with the shaft of said reel resting in said recess.
 7. The nut de-reeler as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said inclined surface is a rearward extension of said lateral support plates, each of said plates including a second recess to receive the shaft of an additional reel of nuts.
 8. In a system for unwinding a coiled strip of frangibly interconnected pierce nuts from a reel and for transporting said pierce nuts along a path to an installation head for sequential installation by shearing the frangible connectors between the pierce nuts, a de-reeler for unwinding the coiled strip of pierce nuts comprising: a base plate; means for rotatably mounting a reel above said base plate, said means including front and rear vertical supports, each having a roller journalled therein with said reel resting on said rollers and above said base plate; and a spring loaded roller means mounted in said front vertical supports below the roller journalled therein, and below said reel, said spring loaded roller for absorbing tension and compression forces from the unwinding of said interconnected pierce nuts.
 9. The system as in claim 8 and further including guide means in front of and spaced away from said front support for further defining the path of said interconnected pierce nuts from said springy loaded roller to said installation head; said guide means including a first member freely mounted in front of said front roller for lateral movement transversely of the path of unwinding of said interconnected pierce nuts, and a second member mounted on said base plate in front of said first guide member for directing said pierce nuts from said first guide member to said installation head.
 10. The system as in claim 9 and further including a track having said first guide member mounted at one end thereof; said track extending from said first guide member to said second guide member and then to said installation head for defining the path of movement of said interconnected pierce nuts from said reel to said installation head.
 11. A de-reeler for unwinding interconnected pierce nuts coiled on a reel, said pierce nuts characterized in that they are joined by readily frangible connectors for sequential installation by shearing said frangible connectors, said de-reeler for reducing tension on said pierce nuts to avoid damage to said frangible connectors, comprising: a work surface; means positioned for rotatably supporting a reel above said work surface, said reel having a strip of interconnected pierce nuts coiled thereon; a tension roller mounted at the front of said supporting means; a floating guide in front of said tension roller having an internal passageway with an opening facing said tension roller to receive said interconnected pierce nuts, said floating guide freely moving transversely of the path of travel of said pierce nuts for following the tangential unwinding of said coil; a second guide mounted on said work surface in front of said and spaced away from said floating guide for receiving said strip of pierce nuts from said floating guide and for directing said strip of pierce nuts; and an installation head positioned in front of said second guide to receive said strip of pierce nuts from said second guide and to install said pierce nuts sequentially by shearing the frangible connectors between adjacent pierce nuts.
 12. The de-reeler as defined in claim 11 and further including an elongated track For supporting said trip of pierce nuts, said installation head receiving one end of said track and said floating guide mounted on the other end of said track; said track further extending through a channel in said second guide channel being perpendicular to the axis of said tension roller. 